PISCATAWAY — Here's the first thing you need to know regarding the long-term status of Rutgers' best player, Janarion Grant, who has been "limited'' on various days from full-contact drills through the first week of training camp.

Chris Ash is not concerned about the possibility that Grant will miss the Sept. 1 season opener versus Washington.

"No (concern),'' the Rutgers coach said, repeatedly emphasizing that the Scarlet Knights' star wide receiver/return specialist is being limited for his own good.

Rutgers football practices in the stadium

Photo by John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

“He’s been fine,'' Ash said Monday following his team's sixth full-squad practice. "We’re limiting him for obvious reasons. He’s a guy we can’t afford to get hurt.''

Of course, Grant's health status looms over the entire Rutgers football team in Ash's second training camp as Scarlet Knights coach, considering the 5-10, 178-pound speedster — who missed the final eight games last season after undergoing ankle surgery — greatly impacts both the offense and the kick- and punt-return games.

"The thing I love about him, when he goes (without restrictions), he knows everything we’re doing,'' Ash said. "The guy just loves football. He has a great football I.Q. He knows how to line up. He doesn’t make any mistakes. And for a guy to do that with getting limited reps, that’s pretty impressive.''